Texting while driving has been at the forefront of distracted driving conversations for some time now. But a new distracted driving trend is beginning to emerge–driving with a pet on your lap.
According to a AAA survey, last year 21 percent of drivers let their dog ride in their lap while driving. Even more shocking is that 7 percent of those drivers said that they had fed their dog while driving, while 5 percent even admitted to playing with their dog while driving.
But is driving with a dog on your lap legal? For now, yes. But two states are taking action against this behavior. Lawmakers in both Tennessee and Rhode Island are pushing legislation that would forbid pets from running around free inside a moving vehicle. California passed a similar law in 2008, but it was vetoed by then governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It has yet to be seen whether Florida will take action on this issue. However, immediate action seems unlikely, given that Florida is still one of the few states that has yet to pass a law banning texting while driving.
Regardless of the law, our Treasure Coast auto accident attorneys urge all Florida drivers to stay focused while driving.
Car Accident? A Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you or someone you love has been injured by a distracted driver in Florida, the law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney can help. We have provided legal assistance to car accident victims in South Florida and the Treasure Coast since 1975.
Call us today at (800) 299-8878 or fill out our convenient online contact form for a free consultation.
